(VEN) - Every year, although numerous advanced technological results are recognized, few of them are replicated in production, revealing the failure to turn scientific and technological developments into a reality.
Numerous scientific breakthroughs have not been applied in production
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said that during 2005-2010, Vietnam had more than 100 state-level scientific research projects annually. Almost all the projects in the field of social science have been applied in practice. However, the number of projects in the fields of technology applied in practice remains very low, at just some 20-30 percent. Many projects still await being applied in real production.
Minister Quan explained reasons why numerous scientific studies continue to wait to be applied in practice despite having received high appreciation in terms of theory was due to a lack of efficient service providers who can help scientists evaluate their topics as well as consult … [Read more...]

(VEN) - The Prime Ministerial Decision approving the International Scientific and Technological Integration Towards 2020 Project provides an opportunity to access global science and technology. However, it will be some time before Vietnamese scientists and related businesses will develop without state assistance.
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Vietnam will integrate into global science and technology through expansion of international scientific and technological cooperation and exchange and return of trained Vietnamese scientists back home to participate in the country's scientific and technological development. Related key elements include intellectual property; standards, quality controls and services.
However, Vietnam's scientific and technological development is a far cry from regional and global scientifically and technologically developed countries. In addition, it still faces a host of setbacks such as old policies (most of legal documents … [Read more...]

Clearly understanding that scientific and technological development is the shortest and most effective way to the success of the process of development, industrialisation and modernisation, the Government of Vietnam always attaches much importance to stepping up cooperation with global scientific and technological powerhouses, especially the United States - the contemporary world hi-tech centre.
Vietnam has to date signed many bilateral cooperation agreements on science and technology with many countries in the world. In addition to researching, acquiring and successful applying suitable technologies for social and economic development, Vietnam also pays special attention to high-tech development to accelerate the process of national industrialisation and modernisation. And, the cooperation with the United States is considered a major priority. On November 17, 2000, on the occasion of former US President Bill Clinton's visit to Vietnam, the Vietnam - United States Agreement on … [Read more...]

The Mekong Delta has only made a few breakthroughs in science and technology despite its great potential for development, said the head of the Ministry of Science and Technology at a conference recently. Organized in Soc Trang Province, its aim was to discuss cooperative opportunities in promoting scientific and technological achievements between provinces in the region.
Although having great potential for the production of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, the Mekong Delta has not yet been able to boost production due to limitations in scientific and technological development.
In an effort to improve agricultural production, since 2006, An Giang, a province of the Mekong Delta, has focused on investing in scientific research.
Using biotechnology to select animal and plant varieties able to adapt to the regional environment and produce high-value crops officials hope the province will reap its potential.
Some work has already been applied and had a significant … [Read more...]

The Central Committee for Propaganda and Education coordinated with the Ministry of Science and Technology to organise a seminar entitled "Investment and financial mechanism for scientific and technological development." Vietnam Business Forum has an interview with Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan on this matter. Anh Phuong reports.
Minister Nguyen Quan said the State budget for science remains very modest. The State Budget is the primary financial source for scientific and technological research and development while businesses and other social organisations are not interested in. Meanwhile, in many countries in the world, private investments for science and technology are 5-10 times that of the State budget. This shows that we not only fall short of funds for scientific and technological investment but we
Deputy Finance Minister Nguyen Thi Minh
Vietnam should soon complete scientific and technological development funds. Specifically, the country needs to clearly … [Read more...]

Viet Nam has a shortage of qualified intellectual property valuators, says Tran Van Tung, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, while talking with Dat Viet (Viet Land) newspaper.
What's the role of intellectual property valuations in Viet Nam's socio-economic development?
The development of a science and technology market should go hand in hand with strict enforcement of the intellectual property rights law. This is stated clearly in the national strategy on science and technology development in the 2011-20 period.
In that strategy, intellectual property valuation is described as an important tool for the operation of an intellectual property market - a pre-requisite for forming and developing a scientific and technological market.
Intellectual property valuation nowadays has become an imperative in society, including among business people, lawmakers, policymakers and others.
To conduct a successful transaction of an innovation or creativity patent we must have a proper … [Read more...]

Hanoi currently has more than 100 universities, colleges and research institutes of science and technology, accounting for 80 percent of number in the country. The number of professors, assistant professors, doctors and scientists in the country living and working in Hanoi accounts for 65 percent. However, over the years, this brain resource has yet to be effectively promoted to contribute to the capital's socio-economic development.
To concretize Article 13 of the Capital Law (coming into effect on 1st, July, 2013), the Municipal Department of Science and Technology has developed a project and draft report on development policy on science and technology to submit at the next meeting of the Hanoi Municipal People's Council.
Synchronous development of science and technology
According to Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi Municipal People's Committee, during this period, the city should focus on the development of high-level science and technology which is environment … [Read more...]

In a brief interview on scientific and technological development strategy granted to the Vietnam Business Forum, Mr Tran Viet Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), affirmed that procedural and structural obstacles hinder the development of science and technology. If these problems are not resolved, Vietnam's science and technology sectors will be left behind by the region and the world. Nguyen Thanh reports.
The Prime Minister has recently approved the Vietnam Scientific and Technological Development Strategy in the 2011 - 2020 period. Mr Tran Viet Hung said the strategy had been prepared in a relatively long time by many expert organisations and built with experience and lessons drawn in the strategy from 2000 to 2010. Hence, a lot of changes will be found in the new strategy. Notable contents include the association of the scientific and technological development strategy with national socioeconomic development strategy; … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge - While the budget for science and technology development remains modest, it has been divided to too many different units and different sectors.
Where the money goes to? … [Read more...]

Though having a total registered capital of VND50 billion (US$2.4 million), which insiders say is too low given the demand of 14,000 businesses, the Ho Chi Minh City fund for technological and scientific development has only disbursed VND25 billion over its first five years of operation.
Do Thanh Technology Corporation is among the very few fortunate borrowers that have been able to access loans.
In September 2009 it was approved for a loan worth VND3.3 billion, or 70 percent of the total capital needed for its project to set up a new production line. The company has now nearly completely cleared the debt.
Not so lucky, the Handa Co Ltd, an essential oil manufacturer, was approved to borrow VND4.7 billion from the fund in January 8, yet the company has yet to receive the money.
Meanwhile, despite an application for loan submitted early this year, Huynh Van Hai, director of the Bao Long Food Technology Production Co, is still unable to access the VND2-billion loan he needs for a … [Read more...]